Ubisoft \'Deeply Disturbed\' By Assassin\'s Creed Shadows Support Studio Abuse Allegations

Summary

• Ubisoft responds to allegations of abuse at a support studio.
• Brandoville Studio, a support studio for Ubisoft, faces accusations of severe mental and physical abuse.
• Recent reports highlight the ongoing need for stronger protections against abuse within the gaming industry.

A recent YouTube video by People Make Games details alleged mental and physical abuse at Brandoville Studio, an Indonesian support studio that worked on Assassin's Creed Shadows. Ubisoft, while not directly involved, has responded, calling the allegations "deeply disturbing" and condemning all forms of abuse.

Abuse within the video game industry remains a persistent concern, with past reports detailing harassment, mental and physical abuse, and other serious issues. This latest report alleges a pattern of abusive behavior by Kwan Cherry Lai, the commissioner and wife of Brandoville's CEO. Allegations against Lai include mental and physical abuse of employee Christa Sydney, forced religious worship, severe sleep deprivation, and forcing Sydney to self-harm while filming. Additional employees have come forward with similar accounts, including claims of salary withholding and overworking a pregnant employee, resulting in a premature birth and the subsequent death of the child.

Brandoville Studio's History and Fate

Founded in 2018, Brandoville Studio, based in Indonesia, ceased operations in August 2024. Reports of abuse allegedly date back to 2019. During its operation, the studio contributed to several major game releases, including Age of Empires 4 and Assassin's Creed Shadows. Following the release of the People Make Games video, Indonesian authorities are investigating these claims and reportedly seeking to question Kwan Cherry Lai, who claims to currently be in Hong Kong.

The pursuit of justice for Christa Sydney and other alleged victims remains uncertain. The continued emergence of reports detailing poor working conditions, abuse, and harassment within the gaming industry, both domestically and internationally, underscores the urgent need for improved employee protections and accountability mechanisms to address these serious issues. This includes protecting employees from not only internal abuse but also external threats such as online harassment and death threats.